Remembering Tom Lantos

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Remembering Tom Lantos

Tom Lantos will be long remembered for his profound moral convictions and his deep commitment to human rights. During his life he helped and inspired numerous individuals around the world. Many more will feel the rewards of his work for years to come.

"Tom Lantos was a true American hero. He was the embodiment of what it meant to have one's freedom denied and then to find it and to insist that America stand for spreading freedom and prosperity to others," — Sec. Of State Condoleezza Rice

The following is a partial list of honors awarded in Tom's memory:

• On June 19, 2008, President Bush awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the nation’s highest civilian honor – to Tom Lantos, which Annette Lantos accepted on his behalf at a White House ceremony. In his remarks, President Bush honored Congressman Lantos for his commitment to human rights and his devoted service to the United States.
• In May 2008, Annette accepted an Honorary Doctorate from Hebrew University on Tom's behalf.   The event took place at the Mount Scopus campus overlooking Jerusalem and coincided with the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the university's founding. 
  
• The coastal town of Netanya, Israel has renamed a boulevard in Tom's honor.  It is now known as the Tom Lantos Boulevard.  Annette and her daughters attended a dedication ceremony for the boulevard in May 2008.
  
• In recognition of Tom's unwavering support for animal rights, The Humane Society of the United States honored Tom with the Joseph Wood Krutch Medal, the organization's highest honor.
  
• The California State Legislature has honored Tom by approving a bill to name two new highway portals the "Tom Lantos Tunnels at Devils Slide."  Tom worked for three decades to make the Devils Slide bypass project a reality for the people of his congressional district. 
• In February 2008, Tom was posthumously awarded the Grand Cross Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary.  The Grand Cross was presented to Annette by the Hungarian Ambassador to the United States.  Hungary had awarded the Cross to Tom for his 80th birthday.  Tom was also the recipient of the Grand Croix of the Order of the Dannebrog (The Royal Danish Cross) in 2007.